Studio Blog

I have to start this by saying how proud I am of all of the writers that contributed to this story. Not only was it so much fun to watch, but we did something that would not be possible in the lifetimes before us.

Individuals from all different backgrounds, from every corner of the United States, in different time zones contributed one sentences (some two) to a story they did not know. Once the line was submitted, it could not be taken back, it could not be changed, and the next line was different because of it. Our story is a bizarre story, but a beautiful one nonetheless.

My goal in doing this was primarily just for fun. But also, I think it helps to show why it is so important for each and every writer to bring an authentic voice, thought, and creative passion to a body of work that may or may not be in a format they are familiar with. Every single line in this story mattered.

Think of this when you write. As Demand Studios writers, you are challenged to maintain your voice within a very structured template. When your voice is absent in a How to or an About, it may not seem like a big deal, but it's missed. Just like every sentence of this story, the collective voice that was created out of each one of you bringing your own to the table made this crazy, Alfinian, speed dating experiment just brilliant.

Remi and I were able to watch this unfold carefully, and every once in a while we jumped in to help "steer the ship" but this was all you. This story had a life and an energy to it that came from you. I was floored to see that.

Thank you all and here it is. Enjoy!

A Day in the Life of Another World

I woke up, my head fogged, my eyes unfocused. Something familiar about the people in the room, but I couldn’t put names to any of them. I couldn't understand why they were all wearing blue or how come all their nametags said, "Hello. My name is Alf;" even the women. Lost in the low hum of conversation, I was startled when from behind me she said "Hello, I'm Alf."

Where was I?

Think!

Her warm smile greeted me harshly. I was instantly reminded of where I was; a place with no windows, a door and a stage ready for me. Outside, 3,000 suns whirled in a fuchsia sky. Had the Planet Alf speed date convened, yet again, in the Andromeda Galaxy?

The concept of a planet-wide speed date was staggering, but on Alf, it was only sensible. After all, the planet's inhabitants were just waiting for something new to happen. Their lives lacked the friendship connection. Hopefully, maybe today...  there would be a sign, they hoped.

I knew the speed date event was concocted to make sure all gathered in one place. I had to speak up.

"Why are you all here?" I asked, looking for verification of my speed date theory.

One of the inhabitants sent me a sharp glare. They didn't understand my part in all of this and neither did I. But I knew that I had to get through to them and make them listen.

"And why," I couldn’t help adding, "do all your nametags say Alf?"

It was the sort of mystery that could get very distracting, see.  Unfortunately, they had no ears, which explained the piercing looks the crowd was shooting my way every time I opened my mouth. Were the missing ears a human adaptation that occurred during my cryogenic sleep? No matter. I knew 200 different types of sign language from back in the day when I was a universal interpreter. Or so I thought.

What could they possibly have thought I was trying to say? Then, I heard, “You, with the ears," a woman said without opening her mouth and holding a gun, "are you a mute?”  Will she hear? Where was she coming from?

Just then 2 women emerged from backstage, rolling a small table toward me. On top, 2 metallic briefcases labeled "A.L.F: TOP SECRET." I couldn't help but notice one of the women bore a terrible resemblance to my college roommate, who had broken my heart and turned me into an alcoholic.

The drink divine - the alcohol burns my throat.

 I try to lick my lips - only to find them gone. I cannot scream. I definitely need a drink to put this chaotic play in full perspective as it unravels before me. I reached for a shot of vodka. Desperate to communicate I began speaking in the Alfian way. I pulled up my shirt carefully articulating words with my navel, but the women with the briefcase on stage quickly stole the show.

The A.L.F briefcase was opening and silenced the room. Inside was a plain white envelope, two gold earrings, and something else I couldn't quite identify. But suddenly I knew it was a bomb, and it was set to go off in a matter of minutes. I opened the envelope hoping for instructions, but instead I learned I could fly.

Nobody was happy about that -- especially me! I started to float up and was no longer in control. The Alfs clapped with each tick of the bomb, and I went higher and higher until my mind began to feel fuzzy, my ears started ringing and everything started to go dark.

I was blacking out and I could only pray that this would make sense. The clapping stopped & the bomb rang.

It wasn't a bomb at all, but the start of the planet-wide speed date. They were looking for something in their lives that had been missing, but why was I there?

 My mind flashed back to my first blind date, I wasn't comfortable then and I certainly wasn't comfortable with speed dating A.L.F.’s.

 I asked the Alf to go away; he would not listen. I grabbed his hair and he pulled away so fast that is came out. The woman I correctly recognized as my former college flame floated quickly to my said and said, “Alf 3.14, that’s no way to treat… the mother of your son! You’re going back into the hypnosis tank for aberrant behavior. Again.”

Fascinated by her crisp navel articulation, I didn’t notice the briefcase that had been set down near my feet. It was an odd, blue color; maybe teal.  Is that the same? Nonetheless, I knew I was the chosen one.   The name tags meant: Aware Life Form. Pushing LSD-like thoughts into our heads was part of their psychic experiment.

But the experiment failed.